Friday May 3, 2013, 6:29 pm
In February 2012, members of Pussy Riot performed mere seconds of a protest song in Moscow’s main Orthodox cathedral that was critical of authorities in Russia. Two women - Nadezhda "Nadya" Tolokonnikova and Maria "Masha" Alekhina – were found guilty of “hooliganism” and are serving sentences in notoriously brutal penal colonies. Disappointingly, a court recently ruled not to allow Masha, a single mother, to defer serving her sentence until her son turned 14.

The two women are prisoners of conscience and there is serious concern for their safety.

Friday May 3, 2013, 6:41 pm
Kit I thought about that when I signed and posted this, but these women were imprisoned simply for expressing themselves ~ if nothing becomes of this petition at least we tried!

Saturday May 4, 2013, 9:04 pm
While I don't think they should have " performed mere seconds of a protest song in Moscow’s main Orthodox cathedral that was critical of authorities in Russia" simply because we assume other countries are going to let people have freedom of speech - I also do NOT think they should be imprisoned. It would be worse than hell to be in a horrible prison where they are surely being mistreated. I signed, ABSOLUTELY!

Sunday May 5, 2013, 10:52 am
Pussy Riot have got every right to play and perform, but they're unfortunately doing it in a country where the stupid President Putin needs removing from office, as does his Kremlin cronies... This is sadly not an isolated case. In Czechoslovakia, for decades, musicians and artists have struggled against the State for free expression of their passion and effectively been outlawed and declared illegal. People like Mikolas Chadima and his MCH Band who have been playing music for over 30 years, and sound like they were influenced by Frank Zappa, is a stunning talent, and deserves a greater exposure within his own country... So we need to support Pussy Riot and bring greater freedom to musicians and artists who want to show their passion for their art in these closed off and insular countries, run by narrow minded, power possessors.